Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Optical analogies of macroscopic quantum effects (Schr\"odinger cat states, squeezing, collapse, and revival) for light beams propagating in an inhomogeneous linear medium are demonstrated theoretically using exact analytical solutions of the wave equation. It is shown that the coherent superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states is generated via mode interference from an initial off-axis single wave packet. Squeezed cat states with a fidelity >99% arise periodically and disappear rapidly within limited intervals of a propagation distance. Collapse and revival of wave packets at long-term nonparaxial evolution due to mode interference is demonstrated. Oscillations of the beam trajectory occur with extremely small amplitude, of the order of $10{}^{\ensuremath{-}19}$ m, which is typical of the estimated displacement caused by cosmic gravitational waves in gravity-wave detectors.
Source: Physical Review A
Author: N. I. Petrov
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2014948275